Sydney Smith

Clergyman

1771-06-03

Books by Sydney Smith

The works of the Rev. Sydney Smith
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The Edinburgh review
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50 Years in the Church of Rome
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Quotes by Sydney Smith

The fact is that in order to do anything in this world worth doing, we must not stand shivering on the bank thinking of the cold and the danger, but jump in and scramble through as well as we can.
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If I were to begin life again, I would devote it to music. It is the only cheap and unpunished rapture upon earth.
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No furniture is so charming as books.
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The main question to a novel is -- did it amuse? were you surprised at dinner coming so soon? did you mistake eleven for ten? were you too late to dress? and did you sit up beyond the usual hour? If a novel produces these effects, it is good; if it does not -- story, language, love, scandal itself cannot save it. It is only meant to please; and it must do that or it does nothing.
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No furniture is so charming as books.
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If I were to begin life again, I would devote it to music. It is the only cheap and unpunished rapture upon earth.
Read quote
The fact is that in order to do anything in this world worth doing, we must not stand shivering on the bank thinking of the cold and the danger, but jump in and scramble through as well as we can.
Read quote
The main question to a novel is -- did it amuse? were you surprised at dinner coming so soon? did you mistake eleven for ten? were you too late to dress? and did you sit up beyond the usual hour? If a novel produces these effects, it is good; if it does not -- story, language, love, scandal itself cannot save it. It is only meant to please; and it must do that or it does nothing.
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Never give way to melancholy; resist it steadily, for the habit will encroach.
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Madam, I have been looking for a person who disliked gravy all my life; let us swear eternal friendship.
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A great deal of talent is lost to the world for want of a little courage. Every day sends to their graves obscure men whose timidity prevented them from making a first effort.
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In composing, as a general rule, run your pen through every other word you have written; you have no idea what vigor it will give your style.
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Bishop Berkeley destroyed this world in one volume octavo; and nothing remained, after his time, but mind; which experienced a similar fate from the hand of Mr. Hume in 1737.
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A great deal of talent is lost to the world for want of a little courage.
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No furniture so charming as books.
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Every good picture is the best of sermons and lectures. The sense informs the soul. Whatever you have, have beauty.
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You never expected justice from a company, did you? They have neither a soul to lose, nor a body to kick.
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One of the greatest pleasures in life is conversation.
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Let onions lurk within the bowl And, scarce-suspected, animate the whole
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I have no relish for the country; it is a kind of healthy grave.
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